Gareth Bale's agent fuels fresh speculation by making TV claim that Welshman is ready to listen to Real Madrid

Gareth Bale’s potential move to Real Madrid took a fresh twist on Wednesday
when the player’s agent appeared on Spanish television to say that they are
ready to listen to the nine-times European champions.

Target: Gareth Bale will be courted by Real Madrid after they missed out on signing NeymarPhoto: GETTY IMAGES

Real Madrid have made Bale their transfer priority and have already begun publicly courting the 23-year-old but it appeared especially significant that Jonathan Barnett, Bale’s agent, should agree to talk on the Futboleros show on Marca TV.

It is a television station that has close links to Real Madrid and, although Barnett did point out that Bale had three years left on his contract, he did nothing to discourage an offer.

“If Florentino [Pérez, the Real president] is interested in Gareth Bale, it would be an honour and we’d listen,” Barnett said.

“But his contract is with Tottenham. We aren’t free to talk with anybody at the moment. I can understand a lot of teams are interested in him.

"He’s a great player but he has a contract with Tottenham. I don’t know if there has been a bid. What I do know is that the player has three years left on his contract.”

Bale signed his new contract last year and, despite Tottenham’s failure to qualify for the Champions League, will be offered a further pay rise this summer.

Spanish sports daily AS described Bale as 'The Golden Bullet' this morning

Bale signed his new contract last year and, despite Tottenham’s failure to qualify for the Champions League, will be offered a further pay rise this summer.

Even if Bale does not sign, Tottenham’s stance is that he is not for sale and that they have “every intention” of keeping their best players this summer.

“We will not entertain any approaches,” said Daniel Levy, the Tottenham chairman.

There has been no formal bid from Real Madrid and it is understood that Tottenham have even received a letter from the Spanish club pledging that there will be no offer this summer.

Madrid, though, are under serious pressure to make a major signing. Barcelona have beaten them this week to the transfer of Neymar from Santos and, with Carlo Ancelotti or Jupp Heynckes likely to arrive as manager next month, there would be the expectation of at least one marquee signing.

Bale, who was the outstanding player in the Premier League last season, has caught the attention of Zinedine Zidane, who works with the Real Madrid academy and has been identified by Pérez as a future manager.

Zidane was in London for the Champions League final on Saturday and made a point of publicly praising Bale.

“I’ve been watching Tottenham for the reason that Gareth Bale has been playing there,” said Zidane. “Aside from Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, he is the player who has impressed me the most. Is he good enough for Real Madrid? Of course. He is more than good enough to play for Real Madrid.”

Using the media to unsettle a transfer target is a familiar tactic in Spain. The departures of Cesc Fabregas and Cristiano Ronaldo to Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively followed years of public flirtation.

It also appeared significant that Bale was on the front cover yesterday of both AS and Marca, the two main Madrid sports newspapers.

‘Golden Bullet’ was the headline in AS while Marca had Bale, Ronaldo and Zidane on the cover. The headline was “Misión Zidane” and it is clear that Real are trying to use Zidane’s huge standing in football as a means to entice Bale.

Barnett was asked whether he was negotiating a new contract with Tottenham for Bale but said that there had been no talks. Bale’s worth was also discussed and Real would have to reach at least £60 million to stand any chance of securing the transfer.

Neymar joined Barcelona on Monday for an initial £25 million but there are various add-ons in the deal and it is also significant that he was entering the final year of his contract.

Tottenham, as has generally been the case under Levy, have ensured that they are in a strong negotiating position.

“Bale is a better player than Neymar and he’s demonstrated it in one of the best leagues in the world,” Barnett said.

“I would imagine clubs want him not just because they missed out on Neymar but because of how good he is. He should be the first option, we’ll see. Bale is worth more than Neymar.

“Bale is very relaxed [about the situation]. He’s enjoying a deserved holiday. He only wants to be happy and enjoy his football.”

Andre Villas-Boas, the Tottenham manager, is determined to keep Bale and would expect the proceeds of any sale to be reinvested in the squad.